Wednesday was a difficult day for The American Independent News Network, which is the larger entity that operates The Iowa Independent. Our chief executive and founder announced two of our sister sites would close and their content would be moved to The American Independent.
A recently introduced bill could have far-reaching impact on the U.S. sugar industry, including American Crystal Sugar, a farmer-owned cooperative that locked out 1,300 Midwest workers on Aug. 1.
The chairman for Herman Cain’s Iowa effort says the campaign “relied more on the word of farmers than Washington regulators” in deciding to run an ad containing claims the Environmental Protection Agency says are false.
The Iowa Senate will remain under the control of a slim 26-25 Democratic majority when it reconvenes in January 2012.
A new television ad attacking 1st District Republican candidate Ben Lange on his Social Security positions is anything but subtle. Showing images of elderly Iowans working as construction workers, taxi drivers or firefighters, the 30-second spot aims to warn seniors of a possible rise in the retirement age or dissolution of their Social Security funds.
The ad — which is shown in similar forms in five other key congressional races nationwide — will run starting Thursday until Election Day and was paid for by Protecting America’s Retirees, an independent project of the Alliance for Retired Workers. Along with the satirical images of seniors working, the announcer says the retirement age will be raised to 70 if Republicans gain control of Congress in November.
“What are seniors hoping for if Republicans take over Congress?
“You’re hoping things will change?
“Hope you’re also planning to stay on the job.
“Because at least one change means seniors will have to work. And work. And keep right on working.”
The announcement of the new T.V. ad came the same day U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin sent an e-mail to supporters asking for $5 donations to Democratic Rep. Bruce Braley‘s campaign, invoking Lange’s position on Social Security. In the message, Harkin said that if Republicans are voted into power they will turn Social Security over to “Wall Street special interest.”
“But let’s just say what privatization really is: a gift to wealthy Wall Street investors,” Harkin said. “It’s these same special interests who are bankrolling Ben Lange — this gift to Wall Street is a key part of the Republican agenda if they win control of the House this November.”
Last week, the Waterloo Courier reported Braley calling Lange out on his Social Security positions, which Lange essentially called irrelevant to the election at hand. However, later in the article Lange said he does not support privatizing Social Security.
Do you know where to vote on Election Day? Do you know what to bring with you? Get comprehensive voter information for your state here.
Sign up for our email newsletter